There's a lovely double reward in making the Matyó Crochet Granny Square Bag: the crochet keeps your hands interested, and the finished bag has a real job to do. Carry it on everyday errands, tuck in a book for a quiet afternoon, or use it to keep a small crochet project together while you're out.
Puff stitches, clusters, petal rounds, front-post details, and carefully placed color changes give you plenty of variety as you work. Once the panels are complete, the long single crochet strap settles into an easy rhythm, so the project balances detailed crochet with calm, repetitive rows.
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Why You'll Love This Pattern
- An absorbing motif: Each panel develops over several distinct rounds, moving through puffs, petals, picots, clusters, and post stitches. Your hands get variety without having to manage complicated garment shaping.
- Two center options: You can begin each panel with a small chain loop or use a magic loop. Pick the method that feels steadier in your hands.
- Straightforward assembly: The strap also forms the sides of the bag. You sew it around 5 of the 6 panel sides, leave one side open, and close the remaining strap seam.
- A customizable strap: The written strap has 260 single crochet rows, but it's easy to check its length against your preferred fit before sewing.
Pattern Details
- Skill Level: Advanced, Expert
- Yarn Weight: Aran / Worsted
- Time to Make: about 16-22 hours
Materials You'll Need
Gather all five working colors before you begin so every planned change is ready when you reach it.
- Aran/worsted weight yarn (4): Keep the yarn weight and general thickness consistent across every color. The pattern doesn't provide yarn amounts, so check your available yardage before beginning both panels and the long strap.
- 4.00 mm crochet hook: Use the listed hook as your starting point and keep your tension consistent so the two panels finish at the same size.
- Yarn needle
- Scissors
Stitches & Abbreviations
- ch - chain
- chsp - chain space
- st(s) - stitch(es)
- sl st - slip stitch
- sc - single crochet
- hdc - half double crochet
- dc - double crochet
- dc2tog - double crochet 2 together
- tr - treble crochet
- PS - puff stitch
- fps - front post stitch
- trfps - treble crochet front post stitch
PS: *Yarn over, place hook in stitch, yarn over, pull up loop; rep from * 2 more times, yarn over, pull through all loops.
3dc cluster: Double crochet 3 together, working all 3 partial double crochets in the same stitch: *yarn over, insert hook into the same stitch, yarn over and pull through, yarn over and pull through 2 loops; rep from * 2 more times, yarn over and pull through all 4 loops.
How to Crochet the Matyó Granny Square Bag
Make both panels before crocheting and attaching the strap, following each color join at the end of the indicated stitch.
This pattern uses US terminology. This pattern isn't suitable for beginners. Make 2 main panels. When changing colors, add the new color during the last yarn over of the previous stitch. Color key: G = Green, Y = Yellow, R = Red, W = White, B = Blue.
Main Panel, Make 2
- Round 1: In G, ch 4 and sl st in first ch to form a loop. Crochet 8 sc into center of loop, sl st in first sc, and join Y. Alternatively, crochet 8 sc into a magic loop. (8)
- Round 2: In Y and starting in same st as previous sl st, *PS, ch 1; rep from * around. Sl st in first PS, joining R. (8)
8 PS.
- Round 3: In R, sl st in next ch 1 sp. *[Ch 2, 2 dc, ch 2, sl st] in same ch 1 sp, sl st in next ch 1 sp; rep from * around. Sl st in back loop of next sl st. (8)
8 petals.
- Round 4: Work 2 sc in same back loop of same sl st and in each back loop of each sl st around between the petals. Sl st in first sc, joining W. (16)
- Round 5: In W, ch 3, 1 dc in same st as previous sl st, 2 dc in next st and in each st around. Sl st in top of ch 3. (32)
- Round 6: Ch 3, 2 dc in next st, *1 dc in next st, 2 dc in next st; rep from * around. Sl st in top of ch 3, joining G. (48)
- Round 7: In G and starting in same st as previous sl st, *1 sc in next st, ch 3, skip 1 st; rep from * around. Sl st in first sc, joining R. (24)
24 ch 3 sps.
- Round 8: In R, *[1 sc, 1 dc, 2 tr] in next ch 3 sp, [2 tr, 1 dc, 1 sc] in next ch 3 sp, joining G at end of last st, ch 2, 1 sc in next ch 3 sp, ch 2, 1 sc in next ch 3 sp, ch 2, rejoining R; rep from * around. Sl st in first sc, ch 1, joining Y. (6)
6 petals.
- Round 9: In Y and starting in same st as previous sl st, *1 sc in next st, 1 hdc in next st, 2 dc in each of next 2 sts, ch 2, 2 dc in each of next 2 sts, 1 hdc in next st, 1 sc in next st, joining G at end of st, 1 sc in next ch 2 sp, ch 2, 1 sc in next ch 2 sp, ch 2, 1 sc in next ch 2 sp, rejoining Y at end of st; rep from * around. Sl st in first sc in Y. (6)
6 petals.
- Round 10: Join W with ch 1, ch 2, 1 dc in next st, 1 hdc in next 2 sts, 1 sc in next 2 sts, [1 sc, ch 2, 1 sc] in next ch 2 sp, 1 sc in next 2 sts, 1 hdc in next 2 sts, 1 dc in next 2 sts, skip next st, dc2tog over the 2 ch 2 sps, skip next st. *1 dc in next 2 sts, 1 hdc in next 2 sts, 1 sc in next 2 sts, [1 sc, ch 2, 1 sc] in next ch 2 sp, 1 sc in next 2 sts, 1 hdc in next 2 sts, 1 dc in next 2 sts, skip next st, dc2tog over the 2 ch 2 sps, skip next st; rep from * around. Sl st in top of ch 3.
- Round 11: Ch 2, 1 hdc in next 5 sts. *1 sc in next st, [1 sc, ch 2, 1 sc] in next ch 2 sp, 1 sc in next st, 1 hdc in next 5 sts, joining G at end of last st, skip next st, 1 trfps around next dc2tog posts, joining B at end of st, 3dc cluster in next st, which is the previous dc2tog st, rejoining G at end of cluster, 1 trfps around same dc2tog posts, joining W at end of st, skip 1 st, 1 hdc in next 5 sts; rep from * around. On the final repeat, omit the last 1 hdc in next 5 sts instruction. Instead, skip the ch 2 at the beginning and sl st in first hdc in W. (114)
- Round 12: In W, ch 2, 1 hdc in next 6 sts. *[1 sc, ch 2, 1 sc] in next ch 2 sp, skip next st, 1 hdc in next 16 sts; rep from * to last ch 2 sp. [1 sc, ch 2, 1 sc] in last ch 2 sp, skip next st, 1 hdc in last 9 sts. Sl st in top of ch 2, joining Y. (120)
- Round 13: In Y, work (ch 3, skip next st, sl st in next st) 3 times. *Ch 3, skip next st, [1 sc, ch 2, 1 sc] in next ch 2 sp, ch 3, skip next 2 sts, sl st in next st, then work (ch 3, skip next st, sl st in next st) 8 times; rep from * around, ending with (ch 3, skip next st, sl st in next st) 4 times and joining R. (60)
60 picots.
- Round 14: In R, ch 1, 2 sc in next 4 ch 3 sps. *[1 sc, ch 2, 1 sc] in next ch 2 sp, 2 sc in next 9 ch 3 sps; rep from * around, ending with 2 sc in last 5 ch 3 sps. Sl st in first sc. Fasten off and tie in all ends.
Strap
- Row 1: Ch 8 sc foundation sts. Turn. Alternatively, ch 9, 1 sc in second ch from hook and in each ch along. Turn. (8)
- Rows 2-260: 1 sc in each st along. Turn. (8)
Finishing
- Step 1: Sew the strap to both panels, positioning it along the sides.
- Step 2: Each panel has 6 sides. Sew 5 sides together, leaving 1 side open for the bag opening. You may start anywhere, but starting at the bottom is recommended so the strap seam is less visible.
- Step 3: Sew the remaining seam on the strap to finish.
My Best Tips
- Change color on the last yarn over: Bring in the new color during the final yarn over of the stitch before the change. This places the next color on your hook at exactly the right point for the following instruction.
- Compare the panels often: Lay the second panel against the first after several rounds. Matching tension matters because the panels share one strap and must line up along 5 sides during assembly.
- Mark the corner spaces: The ch 2 spaces become important shaping points in the later rounds. Stitch markers can help you spot them quickly, especially while working the long repeats in Rounds 10-14.
- Check the strap before sewing: The strap contains many narrow single crochet rows. Hold it around the panel edges and check the carrying length before fastening it permanently to both panels.
Ways to Adapt Your Matyó Bag
- Choose a different fiber: Cotton can produce a firmer strap with less stretch, while acrylic or wool may feel more flexible. Whatever fiber you choose, use the same general thickness for every color so the panel rounds stay balanced.
- Use fewer colors: You can reduce the five-color palette by continuing with the current yarn wherever a new color is named. The stitch construction stays the same, but you'll have fewer ends to weave in.
- Change the strap length: Stop before Row 260 for a shorter strap or add more single crochet rows for extra length. Make both changes before assembly and remember that some fibers stretch once the bag carries weight.
- Try the alternate center: Use a magic loop instead of joining ch 4 when you want direct control over the center opening. Both methods still receive 8 sc in Round 1.
- Add a lining: A fabric lining can help support the crocheted panels and keep small items from pressing through the stitches. Fit and attach it after the crochet assembly is complete so it matches the actual bag.
Keep the Motifs and Seams on Track
- The two panels don't match: Different tension or a missed increase can make one panel larger. Compare them after each major round and verify the stated counts where they're provided, especially the 32, 48, 114, and 120 stitch rounds.
- The later repeats drift out of place: Recheck every ch 2 space and skipped stitch before continuing. Those spaces anchor the shaping in Rounds 10-14, so one missed space can shift the clusters, corners, and picots that follow.
- The opening gets sewn closed: Choose the opening side before you begin assembly and mark both ends of it. Sew the strap around only 5 sides of each 6-sided panel, then join the remaining strap seam without sewing across the marked opening.
Washing & Care
Because the yarn fiber isn't specified, follow the washing directions on the yarn label. Gentle hand washing is the safest choice for the sewn seams and multiple color changes, and drying the bag flat will help it keep its shape. Avoid hanging it while wet because the long strap may stretch.
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- Mushroom House Bag Crochet Pattern
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many main panels do I need to crochet?
You need 2 complete main panels. Work every round through Round 14 for each one, including all color changes and finishing, before attaching the strap. Matching panels are important because the same narrow strap is sewn along 5 corresponding sides of both pieces.
Can I make the strap shorter or longer?
Yes, adjust the number of single crochet rows before assembly. The pattern calls for Rows 2-260 after the foundation row, but you can stop earlier or continue farther once you've tested the length. Keep 8 stitches in every row so the strap remains an even width and fits the panel edges consistently.
When should I join each new color?
Join the new color during the last yarn over of the stitch immediately before it's needed. That completes the current stitch with the new yarn ready on the hook, preventing an extra transition stitch from appearing in the next section. Follow the named joins carefully in the multicolor petal and post-stitch rounds.
Which part of the bag stays open?
One of the 6 sides remains unsewn to form the opening. The other 5 sides are attached to the strap on both panels. Starting the seam at the bottom is recommended because it places the strap join away from the opening and makes that final connection less noticeable.
Do I have to use a magic loop for Round 1?
No, either center method works. You can join ch 4 into a loop or make a magic loop, then crochet 8 sc into the center. The important part is finishing Round 1 with exactly 8 stitches so the 8 puff stitches and 8 petals in the following rounds align correctly.
Tell me in the comments how your Matyó bag turned out and which part you enjoyed crocheting most! 🧶
